Chelsea fined over referee incident

LONDON, Apr 27 (Reuters) English champions Chelsea have been fined 10,000 pounds (17,840 dollar) and warned to behave after players tried to put pressure on a referee during a league match last month.

''The charge related to an incident in the 43rd minute of the match at the Hawthorns on March 4 when several Chelsea players surrounded referee Mark Halsey following a foul by West Brom's Ronnie Wallwork,'' the FA said on its website today.

Chelsea, who won the game 2-1 and are a point away from retaining their Premier League title, denied the charge and requested a personal hearing.

''At a disciplinary commission hearing today, the charge was found to be proven,'' the FA said.

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